Blueberry plant named &#34;bb05-185ga&#34;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of blueberry plant named BB05-185GA as described and shown herein. BB05-185GA is a new and distinct low chill tetraploid Southern highbush blueberry ( Vaccinium ) variety of complex ancestry, based largely on  V. corymbosum  and with over 13%  V. darrowii  and small contributions of  V. angustifolium, V. tenellum , and  V. ashei . It is a productive mid-late season variety that ripens between Star, a widely planted mid-season highbush variety, and Climax, an early season rabbiteye variety. It is characterized as having a very large fruit with a very small and dry picking scar, light blue color, very firm with outstanding fruit quality and flavor for fresh market. In part BB05-185GA provides outstanding fruit quality and flavor, its harvest season fills a void between highbush and rabbiteye seasons and it has good machine harvest potential.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY

Blueberries are a well-known fruit enjoyed by many throughout the world.One example of an existing, patented blueberry variety is Star, U.S.Plant Pat. No. 10,675. Another example of an existing, patentedblueberry variety is Rebel, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 18,138.

Compared to Star, the present cultivar, BB05-185GA, has a fruit colorthat is much lighter in color. The chill requirement for BB05-185GA isslightly more (500 hrs vs. 400 hrs). Fruit maturity is about 7 dayslater than Star. Fruit size is much larger and consistent in sizing. Newleaf growth is reddish in color.

Compared to Rebel, BB05-185GA has a more upright bush shape. The chillrequirement for BB05-185GA is more than Rebel (500 vs. 300). Fruitmaturity is later than Rebel by 10-14 days. Fruit is lighter blue color,firmer and with very high sweetness as compared to Rebel. New leafgrowth is reddish in color.

The present cultivar, BB05-185GA, provides one or more advantagescompared to these and/or other blueberry varieties.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

FIG. 1 is a photograph taken in March 2012 of the Blueberry cultivarBB05-185GA, showing evergreen leafing with reddish color of older andyounger leaves during cool weather, leaf shape, fruiting wood color,leaf arrangement, petiole length and color, venation of leaves.

FIG. 2 is a close-up photograph taken in February 2012 of the Blueberrycultivar BB05-185GA showing the color and shape of opened flowers, aswell as unopened flowers, the reddish coloration of leaves, and flowernumber per cluster.

FIG. 3 is a close-up photograph taken in April-May 2012 of the Blueberrycultivar BB05-185GA, showing mature leaves showing shape, venation,color, leaf margins, petiole length and color, as well as a cluster ofunripe berries with density and color, and the color of new fruitingwood.

FIG. 4 is a photograph taken in May 2012 of the Blueberry cultivarBB05-185GA, showing bush shape, as well as leafing, fruit presentation,cluster density, and ripe and unripe fruit.

FIG. 5 is a close-up photograph taken in May 2012 of the Blueberrycultivar BB05-185GA, showing a fruit cluster with ripe berries. Thisalso shows cluster density, ripe color, shape of fruit, calyx size andshape, leaf shape, and petiole length and color.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Note: statements of characteristics herein represent exemplaryobservations of the cultivar herein and will vary depending on time ofyear, location, annual weather, etc. Where dimensions, sizes, colors,and other characteristics are given, it is to be understood that suchcharacteristics are approximations and averages. The descriptionsreported herein are largely from specimen plants grown near Manor, Ga.Data were obtained on a plant that was 3 years old.

Cultivar Name: BB05-185GA.

Classification:

Family: Ericaceac

Botanical name: Vaccinium corymbosumCommon name: Blueberry

Parentage:

FEMALE PARENT

Cooper (unpatented) (G180 unpatented×US75 unpatented).

U.S. Plant Pat. No.: none.

Compared to Cooper, BB05-185GA has a higher chill requirement (400 vs.500). Cooper has much smaller and darker blue colored berries and Cooperripens 10 days before BB05-185GA. Cooper has medium upright habit whilethe habit for BB05-185GA is upright. Cooper blooms 5-10 days later thanBB05-185GA.

MALE PARENT

Name: Draper (Duke unpatented×G751 unpatented).

U.S. Plant Pat. No. : 15,103.

Compared to Draper, BB05-185GA has a much lower chill requirement (800vs. 500); BB05-185GA is adapted to a lower chill production area, whileDraper is not. The bush shape of BB05-185GA is more upright than Draper,the fruit is rounder in shape and lighter blue color. New leaf growth ofBB05-185GA is reddish in color and fruit maturation is 6 weeks earlierthan Draper.

BB05-185GA was created from a cross made in 2005 in a South Haven, Mich.greenhouse. Bushes were grown for one year in Grand Junction, Mich. andthen planted in an observation trial near Manor, Ga. in 2006. The plantexhibited fruit and morphological characteristics that aredesirable—maturity date, bush habit and vigor, and outstanding fruitquality. Additional plants have been propagated by softwood cuttings andtissue culture, and several multi-bush trials were established in 2011throughout southeastern Georgia.

BB05-185GA was first asexually propagated by softwood cuttings that havebeen taken several times, the first in 2006. The propagated plants haveretained the original characteristics. The variety roots readily fromsoftwood cuttings or tissue culture microshoots.

All field observations were made in Spring 2012 on a 3-year old plantlocated in a trial near Manor, Ga., propagated from the original bushselection. Laboratory analysis of fruit characteristics were done inGrand Junction, Mich.

General comments: BB05-185GA is a new and distinct low chill tetraploidSouthern highbush blueberry (Vaccinium) variety of complex ancestry,based largely on V. corymbosum and with over 13% V. darrowii and smallcontributions of V. angustifolium, V. tenellum, and V. ashei. It is aproductive mid-late season variety that ripens between Star, a widelyplanted mid-season highbush variety, and Climax, an early seasonrabbiteye variety. It is characterized as having a very large fruit witha very small and dry picking scar, light blue color, very firm withoutstanding fruit quality and flavor for fresh market. The varietyappears to be a good candidate for mechanical harvest due to aconcentrated ripening period, upright bush habit, and easy detachment offirm fruit. It is intended for areas which successfully grow lower chillSouthern highbush varieties. The fruit are large, typically 2 grams ormore per berry, well exposed on a very upright bush with a small crown.The mean date of 50% flowering is March 1 in Southeast Georgia. Winterchill requirement for successful flowering and leafing is approximately500 hours (<7° C.). Flowering and leafing are synchronous and duringmilder winters this variety tends to be evergreen. The fruit are largein size. The 50% ripening date is normally May 8. Fruit shape is oblatein shape with medium high amounts of waxy bloom that is mostlypersistent after handling. This variety has outstanding flavor with veryhigh levels of sweetness balanced with medium acidity and is also veryfirm and juicy. Storage ability in refrigeration can be 2 to 3 weeks.Thus, in part BB05-185GA provides outstanding fruit quality and flavor,its harvest season fills a void between highbush and rabbiteye seasonsand it has good machine harvest potential.

References to color refer to The Pantone Book of Color, Eisemann andHerbert, Harry N. Abrams, Inc. Publishers, New York, ISBN 0-8109-3711-5,1990.

No spectrographic device was used to take color readings.

Morphological characteristics reference: Plant Systematics, Jones andLuchsinger, 2 Ed., McGraw Hill, New York, ISBN 0-07-032796-3, 1986.

-   Average size information:-   General description: Medium large bush, medium upright shape, 3-year    plant 120 cm height, 70 cm width, height/width ratio 1.7:1.-   Growth: Very good.-   Productivity: Very good.-   Cold hardiness: Leaf and flower buds −5° C., open flowers and fruit    −2° C.-   Specific features of the variety:-   Plant:-   Growth habit: Upright.-   Plant width: 70 cm.-   Plant height: 120 cm.-   Spread: 70 cm.-   Productivity: 5-6 lbs per mature bush.-   Cold hardiness/tolerance: Leaf and flower buds −5° C., flowers and    fruit −2° C.-   Chilling requirement: 500 hours below 7° C.-   Canes: Modestly branched, 6-8 canes/bush, 40-50 cm range, average 44    cm; medium number of laterals.-   Mature cane color — Pantone Adobe 17-1340.-   Texture — rough.-   Fruiting wood: Smooth, immature winter color — Pantone Barn Red    18-1531; immature summer color — Pantone Cedar 16-0526.-   Internode length range: 12-20 mm range, average 16 mm.-   Surface texture of new wood: Smooth.-   Mature canes — circular, 13 mm width.-   Time of beginning of leaf bud burst (include location(s)): February    20 (Manor, Ga.).-   Time of beginning of flowering (include location(s)): February 25    (Manor, Ga.).-   Time of fruit ripening (include location(s)): May 8 (Manor, Ga.).-   Disease resistance/susceptibility: None claimed.-   Foliage:-   Leaf color: Upper — Pantone Avacado 18-0430; lower — Pantone    Grasshopper 18-0332.-   Leaf arrangement: Alternate.-   Leaf margins: Entire.-   Leaf venation: Pinnate.-   Leaf apices: Acute.-   Leaf bases: Acute.-   Vein and petiole colouration: Pantone Cedar 16-0526.-   Petiole length: 4 mm.-   Leaf dimensions.-   Overall shape: 55 mm-68 mm range, average 60 mm.-   Width: 22 mm-28 mm range, average 25 mm.-   Leaf margins: Entire; no visible pubescence or nectaries.-   Leaf surface: Smooth, upper and lower, no visible pubescence.-   Flower:-   Flower shape: Urceolate.-   Flower bud number: Medium high.-   Flowers per cluster: 8.-   Flower fragrance: Floral (like Gardenia).-   Corolla color: Pantone Snow White 11-1602.-   Corolla length: 7 mm.-   Corolla aperture width: 8 mm.-   Flower peduncle: 5 mm.-   Color: Pantone Mellow Green 12-0426.-   Flower pedicel: 7 mm.-   Color: Pantone Sage 16-0421.-   Calyx (with sepals): 2 mm.-   Color: Pantone Sage 16-0421.-   Stamen. — Length: 8 mm.-   Number per flower: 10.-   Filament color: Pantone Coral Gold 16-1337.-   Style: 9 mm, top of ovary to stigma tip.-   Color: Pantone Raffia 13-0725.-   Pistil: 7 mm.-   Ovary color: Pantone Raffia 13-0725.-   Anther. — Length: 3 mm.-   Number: 10.-   Color: Pantone Coral Gold 16-1337.-   Pollen:-   Abundance: Fair to good.-   Color: Pantone Autumn Blonde 12-0813.-   Fruit:-   Date of 50% maturity: May 8 (2012) (Manor, Ga.).-   Yield: 5-6 lbs/bush.-   Berry color.-   With wax: Pantone Celestial Blue 13-4308.-   With wax removed: Pantone Midnight 19-4127.-   Berry flesh color: Pantone Frozen Dew 13-0513.-   Berry surface wax abundance: Medium-heavy, persistent.-   Calyx: width — 8 mm; depth — 2 mm; shape — 5 lobed; slight ridging    of lobes, turned inward.-   Berry weight: 2.1 grams/berry.-   Berry size diameter: 17 mm width, 14 mm height, Aspect (H/W) — 0.8.-   Berry shape: Oblate.-   Cluster density — medium tight.-   Detachment force — easy.-   Self-fruitfulness — fair; will need cross pollination for maximum    yield, earliness, and size.-   Fruit stem scar: lmm, very small and dry.-   Berry firmness: Firm.-   Berry sweetness: Medium, high Brix° 11.2.-   Berry acidity: Medium, TA — 0.41.-   Berry flavor and texture: Outstanding with balanced sweetness and    acidity, crunchy and juicy.-   Suitability for mechanical harvesting: Very possible due to firm    fruit, bush shape, crown size, and concentration of ripening.-   Seed:-   Seed abundance in fruit: Medium low.-   Seed color: Pantone Paprika 17-1553.-   Seed dry weight: NA.-   Seed size: 1.5 mm.-   Possible typical Market uses: Fresh market, processing into jams,    puree, yogurt.-   Storage quality: Medium, 2-3 weeks in refrigerated storage. In    addition, new shoots and leaves, especially in cool weather,    typically have a distinct and rather persistent reddish tinge that    changes to green as the foliage ages and weather warms.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Blueberry plantnamed BB05-185GA as described and shown herein.